The shooting stemmed from a chase after Welch fled County Deputies during a patrol stop in Crawford County. State Police say Welch was initially stopped for swerving over the center line of the roadway.

Welch led police on a pursuit from Crawford County into Kalkaska County, and then into Grand Traverse County and ended in the front yard of his estranged wife in Traverse City.

Police say Welch then exited his vehicle and confronted police with a high-powered rifle. After denying officers requests to put down his weapon, officers from both the Crawford County Sheriff's Office and Traverse City Police Department fired at Welch after he pointed his gun at them.

Welch was killed. No officers were injured during the incident.

State police don't believe Welch had a criminal record. No one else was injured during the incident.